In the German DFB-Pokal Cup, Mathew Leckie was the hero for FSV Frankfurt, scoring a brace in their 3-1 win over fourth-tier side Optik Rathenow. Leckie opened the scoring for Frankfurt on 21 minutes, placing the ball home on his left boot from the penalty spot following Denis Epstein’s cut-back. Rathenow equalised in the second half, sending the game into extra time where Leckie stood up again, heading his side into the lead on 113 minutes from Marcel Kandziora’s precise corner.

Mitch Langerak played a full game in goal for Borussia Dortmund in their 3-0 win over fourth-division side Wilhemshaven. Langerak was barely called upon during the game but did make a crucial one-on-one save in the second half with the game still evenly poised at 0-0.

Elsewhere, Robbie Kruse was an unused substitute as Bayer Leverkusen thumped SV Lippstadt 6-1, while Nikita Rukavytsya was absent from the match-day squad as FSV Mainz beat Fortuna Koln 2-1.

Ben Halloran was an unused substitute as Fortuna Dusseldorf were eliminated following a 1-0 loss to fourth-tier SC Wiedenbruck.  

In the English Championship, Rhys Williams played a full game as Middlesbrough opened their season with a 2-1 loss at home to Leicester City.

Shane Lowry played a full game in defence as Millwall suffered a disappointing 1-0 home loss to newly promoted Yeovil Town. Scott McDonald made his debut for Millwall, coming on in the 68th minute, but the former Middlesbrough striker had little impact on the contest.

Adam Federici was an unused substitute for Reading in their 2-1 win over Ipswich Town. Young English ‘keeper Alex McCarthy was preferred to Federici and put in a good performance in a blow for the World Cup hopeful.

Elsewhere, Alex Cisak was an unused substitute as Burnley drew 1-1 with Bolton.

In League One, Neil Kilkenny played a full game as Bristol City drew 2-2 with Bradford City. Kilkenny was prominent in midfield with his accurate passing setting up numerous opportunities throughout the contest. James Meredith played a full game for Bradford at left-back.

Massimo Luongo played a full game for Swindon in their 1-0 loss to Peterborough United. The on-loan Tottenham midfielder had several half-chances throughout the contest but was unable to beat Posh ‘keeper Robert Olejnik. 

Bailey Wright played a full game in defence as Preston North End played out a 0-0 draw with Wolverhampton. Shane Cansdell-Sherriff was absent from the Preston match-day squad.

Elsewhere, James Wesolowski was an unused substitute as Oldham Athletic beat Stevenage 4-3.

In League Two, Aaron Downes scored a stoppage time goal to earn his side a share of the spoils in Torquay’s 1-1 draw with AFC Wimbledon. Downes looked to have been the villain for his side after deflecting Harry Pell’s shot past his own ‘keeper with just three minutes remaining, but the defender redeemed himself just minutes later with a well directed header from Niall Thompson’s cross.

In the Scottish Premier League, Tom Rogic was missing with an ankle injury as Celtic opened their season with a 2-1 win over Ross County.

Elsewhere, Dylan McGowan played a full game at right-back as Hearts lost 1-0 to St Johnstone. Hearts face an uphill battle to retain their top flight status with a 15 point penalty and a transfer embargo placed on them following the club going into administration.

In Ireland, Mark Griffin came on in second half stoppage time as Derry City lost 2-1 to Sligo Rovers.

In the Dutch Eredivisie, Tommy Oar played a full game and provided an assist in FC Utrecht’s 1-1 draw with Go Ahead Eagles. Oar’s in-swinging free-kick was flicked on by Dave Bulthuis which found the net via the post on 15 minutes, however Go Ahead Eagles, enjoying their first game in the top flight since 1996, equalised just after half time. Michael Zullo was absent from the match-day squad while Adam Sarota remains out with a knee injury.    

Elsewhere, Eli Babalj wasn’t a part of the match-day squad as AZ Alkmaar suffered a shock 4-2 loss to SC Heerenveen, while Jason Davidson was absent from the Heracles side that lost 3-1 to Vitesse. 

In the Dutch Second Division, Travis Cooper was an unused substitute as VVV Venlo opened their campaign with a 0-0 draw against FC Eindhoven.

In Austria, James Holland played a full game in midfield as Austria Wien’s scratchy start to the season continued, throwing away a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 at home to SV Ried.

In Switzerland, Oliver Bozanic continued his remarkable scoring form, hitting home the winner as FC Luzern beat FC Sion 1-0. Bozanic’s goal came on 83 minutes, capitalising on Luzern striker Dimitar Rangelov’s fluffed shot to smash home the winner from close range. Bozanic now has five goals in three games and leads the race for the league’s golden boot.

In the Russian Premier League, Luke Wilkshire was an unused substitute as Dinamo Moscow returned to the winners list, beating Terek Groznyi 1-0.

In Belgium, Mat Ryan played a full game in goal as Club Brugge beat Oostende 2-1. Ryan could do little to prevent Oostende’s goal on 21 minutes with the finely named Frederic Brillant directing a excellent header from a corner.

Ryan was also in action in the Europa League Qualifiers on Thursday, playing a full game as Club Brugge lost 1-0 to Polish side WSK Slask Wroclaw in the first leg. Ryan was beaten in the 64th minute as the Brugge defence failed to track the run of Sebino Plaku who beat Ryan with a classy chip. Ryan did make a handful of decent saves throughout the game, coming off his line to deny Marco Paixao before tipping Waldemar Sobota’s shot over the bar which was destined for the top corner.

Elsewhere in the Europa League Qualifiers, Steven Lustica was an unused substitute as Hajduk Split suffered a shock 1-0 loss in the first leg of their tie against Georgian side FC Dila Gori.

In the MLS, Tim Cahill was absent through injury as the New York Red Bulls beat Sporting Kansas City 3-2. Cahill is expected to miss around three weeks with a knee injury.

In Japan, Josh Kennedy continued his good form, scoring from the penalty spot as Nagoya Grampus beat Jubilo Iwata 3-2.

In the Chinese Super League, Eddy Bosnar played 90 minutes for Guangzhou R&F in their 2-0 win over Qingdao Jonoon. Rostyn Griffiths was absent from the Guangzhou match-day squad, while Joel Griffiths was absent from the Qingdao side.

Ryan McGowan played a full game in defence as Shandong Luneng suffered a shock 2-1 loss to Tianjin Teda. Erik Paartalu played a full game in midfield for Tianjin.

Daniel McBreen and Bernie Ibini both put in full shifts as Shanghai SIPG played out a scrappy 0-0 draw with Changchun Yatai.

Daniel Mullen played a full game in defence as Dalian Aerbin beat Wuhan Zall 3-0, elsewhere Jonas Salley played a full game as Guizhou Renhe drew 2-2 with league leaders Guangzhou Evergrande. Salley had a busy game in defence against the star studded Evergrande, clearing a certain goal off the line in the first half.

Michael Marrone was absent from the match-day squad as Shanghai Shenxin drew 1-1 with Liaoning Whowin.

In the K-League Classic, Alex Wilkinson played a full game in defence as Jeonbuk Motors piled on 3 goals in the final 10 minutes to beat Gangwon FC 4-1. Brendan Hamill was absent from the Gangwon match-day squad.

Luke Devere was an unused substitute as Gyeongnam were thumped 5-1 by Busan I’Park.

Elsewhere, Robbie Cornthwaite was missing through suspension as Chunnam Dragons played out a 0-0 draw with Jeju United, who were without Adrian Madaschi.